In early August, the Mars Science Laboratory roverÂ known as “Curiosity” landed successfully to begin its 23 month mission of searching the Martian surface for evidence of environmental conditions capable of supporting microbial life. On October 25th the U.S. Geological Survey will have a lecture featuring USGS Geologist Ken Herkenhoff, a member of the Curiosity missionâ€™s team talking about what scientists have discovered so far during this mission, particularly at the Gale crater landing site. Learn how scientists are using special instruments aboardÂ CuriosityÂ to analyze dust and rocks, to learn about the role of water in forming the Martian landscape.

The proposed USGS budget reflects research priorities to respond to nationally relevant issues, including water quantity and quality, ecosystem restoration, hydraulic fracturing, natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and support for the National Ocean Policy, and has a large R&D component.

Everyone is familiar with weather systems on earth like rain, wind and snow. But space weather â€“ variable conditions in the space surrounding Earth â€“ has important consequences for our lives inside Earthâ€™s atmosphere.